Preparations are underway for weekend storm

GREEN BAY - So what are people doing -- typically at the last minute -- to get ready for this first taste of winter?

Many folks are scrambling to stay ahead of the storm.

Jim Burke calls it his annual frustration.

"I was going to finish off over here, and then finish this off over here. But obviously I got a few of them that don't work, so," said Jim Burke of Green Bay.

His Christmas lights are on the blink, and a winter storm is on the way.

"If we're supposed to get 3-6 inches, it's important because I got ladders that go up, ladders can slide, and stuff like that. So I make sure I get it up before the snow flies, or try to," said Burke.

At the Municipal Garage, the City of Green Bay has traded street sweepers for snow plows. 100 vehicles have been winterized.

"Looking at our equipment board, every piece of equipment that we need for a snow event is currently up and ready to go," said Tony Fietzer, Green Bay Public Works street superintendent.

Officials say the major roads have been sprayed with snow melting brine.

"Having the streets treated prior to the event allows us to do in regular hours, and also keep the weather from affecting winter travel," said Fietzer.

Sales of salt have been steady. At the Ace Hardware on Ridge Road in Ashwaubenon, bags of nuggets have been a hot item for about a month.

"A lot of people are coming in. They see that we have it out. They're grabbing a bag or two just to stock up on it," said Ryan Lindner, Ace Hardware Ridge Road manager.

There are snow blowers, de-icers and shovels of every shape and size.

Bill Strehlow broke down, and bought a scraper.

"Just a snow remover, left the old one with my old car. So I got to get a new one," said Strehlow of Green Bay.

So as people prepare for the pending storm, Jim Burke says he's had enough.

"I'm pretty much done for today, and everything, so what I'm going to do is put up some other things before the weather comes in," said  Burke.

The official start of winter is still two weeks away.